(generated from captions) This program is captioned live. Good morning. I'm Kathryn Robinson. You're watching Ten's Early News. And I'm Frank Coletta. morning - troops to stay. Our top stories this Wednesday Iraq until the job is done. The PM says our forces won't leave

City gridlock - CBD shut, amid fears of a collapse. an off-ramp in and out of Brisbane's to adopt arrives in Britain The African boy Madonna hopes surrounded by the world's media. And in sport - for tonight's Champions Trophy opener Shane Watson set to be called up against the West Indies.

of the markets Time for our first check fails to give the market a boost? and Frank, a big deal on Wall Street too good to be true Kath, it was almost for the US market has come to an end. a run of positive results

the rally while at the same time, Weak economic reports stopped in home builder sentiment there's been a turnaround on the back of a 15-year low.

More information is coming out and a private equity firm. about this deal between PBL Latest reports suggest $4.5 billion deal last night. James Packer signed off on the It will see PBL sell off media assets

and Consolidated Press including the Nine Network

to equity firm CVC Partners. in a trading halt yesterday PBL shares were placed pending an announcement which is expected today. on the PBL sell-off shortly Kath, we'll have more has bought a strategic stake including news that the Seven Network in a West Australian newspaper group. a scathing attack on Labor John Howard has launched out of Iraq. for vowing to pull our troops has signed a new anti-terror law US President George W. Bush and prosecute foreign suspects. making it easier to interrogate

with patient justice. We will answer brutal murder will be held to account. Those who kill the innocent to prosecute Guantanamo Bay detainees The legislation makes it easier David Hicks. like Australian terror suspect is an abuse of human rights. Civil liberty groups say the new law

a horror week on city roads Brisbane drivers are in for

of the CBD partially closed. with the major artery in-and-out yesterday afternoon Streets resembled carparks the Riverside expressway following a decision to shut amid fears an on-ramp could collapse. in the Ann Street ramp Main Roads workers found a crack while resurfacing yesterday just before peak-hour. and shut down the surrounding roads public transport, car pool Drivers are being urged to take and avoid the city where possible. all week. The closure is likely to last An Australian businessman for alleged child sex offences facing five years jail in Indonesia into a guilty plea. says he won't be coerced he do so. That's despite a judge's insistence

five years in an Indonesian jail. Donald John Storen - facing four Indonesian boys as young as 13. Police say he sexually abused It's alleged that, in return, and presents, Mr Storen would give them money and a mobile phone. including a motorbike he's been framed. But the former South Australian says because I'm not guilty. I'm not feeling guilty at all That's the whole point. on the Indonesian island of Lombok Mr Storen has been living for five years. He owns a resort and a restaurant.

The 58-year-old claims from his hotel room. the boys were caught stealing taking what they were promised. But the teenagers say they were A witness broke down sexually assault one of his friends. after claiming he saw Mr Storen was helping the teenagers steal. But Mr Storen claims the witness four were inside. He was one of five boys - He was the watch outside. He admitted that. Nothing's happened to them? for the robbery? Why haven't they been taken to court Mr Storen to admit what he did The judge has urged to speed up the trial. Catherine Kennedy, Ten News. might have to start importing wheat A warning Australia because of the drought. grain imports are dangerous Liberal MP Wilson Tuckey says to bring diseases with them because they threaten which can devastate crops. we would prefer not to have to do. It's quite a risky business and one Wheat farmers are also angry failed to get Australian growers after the monopoly exporter AWB the best price for their grain. a scathing attack on Labor John Howard has launched out of Iraq. for vowing to pull our troops House is also under internal pressure It comes amid revelations the White to withdraw from the troubled region. As violence escalates in Iraq, Australia's continued involvement so too, the debate about will withdraw from its stance. and there's no sign either side Guilty of turning a blind eye bullets fired on our troops. while Australian money brought standing up for those people. I am a guilty man pledge to withdraw troops from Iraq The Government has described Labor's

as populist and dangerous.

a recruiting weapon for terrorists JI will use our defeat in Iraq as in the threat for Australia. and that will be a direct increase has to answer. That's what Mr Beazley The stand-off comes amid revelations pressure the White House is under internal from the troubled country. to withdraw working, I completely agree. The plan that is in place is not But the Administration says is not an immediate option. pulling out of Iraq including Britain, The US and its allies, vowing to stay until Iraq is stable. A goal bound by no timeframe. Kellie Morgan, Ten News. have been levelled Damning allegations prime minister. against East Timor's former

Mari Alkatiri ignored evidence A United Nations report claims supplying civilians with weapons that members of his government were during the recent wave of violence. document The Special Commission of Inquiry investigation against Alkatiri. has recommended a criminal

that I have all the information I think that it's important before I respond.

Australian-led peacekeepers in the country are patrolling government offices

sparks protests. in case the report's release Civil rights groups in Malawi Madonna's bid to adopt a baby boy. have won a court date to challenge to the 13-month-old But the singer's defending her right

under full police guard. who jetted into Britain last night David Banda arrives in Britain

carried in the arms of Madonna's personal assistant guarded by armed police. According to close family, the singer and her husband have been working towards this moment for many months. With just the tiniest whimper, the baby is whisked through Heathrow Airport brought in under a temporary custody order David was taken to Madonna's home where the millionaire popstar and her film director husband will face strict checks if they want to make him a permanent part of their unusual family. Pictures of Madonna with the baby have been sold to 'Hello' magazine. In Malawi last week she promised several million pounds to set up a charitable foundation prompting criticism that she's using her fame and vast wealth to buy a baby. Madonna went to Africa to find her child but there is no shortage of children in the UK who need new homes. As David Banda begins a new life, the contrast with his old one could not be more marked. Australian cricket captain has confirmed Shane Watson will be promoted to open for tonight's Champions Trophy opener against the West Indies in Mumbai.

Watson has proved a success at openers recently and he's likely to stay there for tonight's game. He's done well. Ponting also not worried about heatwave conditions and a slow pitch in Mumbai. Australia's victorious netballers are back home after their first series win on New Zealand soil in five years. They've returned with a trophy and a message for their arch-rivals. They won't be intimidated any more by rough-house tactics. That's what we did this series. rather than necessarily get caught up in the biffo because, mostly, looking across the court they're a bit bigger than us so we'd probably come off second best if we tried to do that. Their next target, reclaiming the world title next winter in Fiji. The 'will-he-or-won't-he' saga surrounding equal Melbourne Cup favourite Yeats has ended with the champion touching down in Melbourne. Europe's premier stayer arrived yesterday showing no ill efffects of his marathon trip from Ireland. Yeats has been heavily backed to win this year's Cup and shares the top line of betting with David Hayes' import, Tore-keet. The 6-year-old is expected to have his first serious work out at Sandown on Friday. Finance news

and Frank, James Packer's not the only one taking advantage of changes to media laws? That's right, Kath, it's a busy time in the media sector. PBL isn't the only company taking advantage of the Government's changes to media ownership laws. It's now been revealed that Channel Seven has raided the share register of Perth-based based West Australian Newspapers. The shock purchase gives Seven owner, Kerry Stokes, nearly 10% of the newspaper which owns the West Australian and a string of other regional publications. It's believed Seven wants 15% of WAN but it won't be able to acquire that much until the changes to media laws pass through parliament later this week. Seven will provide an update to the market this morning. James Packer's expected sell-off of part of PBL's media interests has been labelled a strategic move. Analysts say the deal, rumored to be worth more than $4 billion, would give the company spare cash to buy other media assets. It could be one of the biggest changes Australia's media landscape has seen. James Packer's PBL today tipped to announce it's off-loading its flagship Nine Network and publishing business creating a new company with private equity firm CVC worth $5 billion.

Known as PBL Media -

it will be a 50-50 partnership and own the Nine Network, Australian Consolidated Press and web Australian Consolidated Press and web sites Ninemsn and CarSales. PBL will keep hold of its key casino and gambling assets, as well as its share in cinema chain Hoyts, Foxtel and jobs website Seek.

I think the private equity fund would like him to stay involved, management group involved. The sell-off will give PBL a $4.5 billion war chest to chase further acquisitions once the Government's changes to media laws pass through parliament later this week. It's believed PBL may move to acquire a radio group like Austereo but the market's focus is firmly on newspaper publisher Fairfax.

and obviously, Fairfax is the most ripe apple to be taken PBL shares were suspended from trade yesterday pending a formal announcement. The company's stock has been rising sharply amid ongoing speculation about a deal and is likely to continue to climb when trading resumes. Matthew Taylor, Ten News. Let's take a look at the national weather:

Now to Wednesday's newspapers -

Traffic chaos for Brisbane motorists. One of the city's main roads crippled. The details when the Early News returns.

This program is captioned live. Welcome back to Ten's Early News. Making headlines this Wednesday - traffic mayhem. Brisbane grinds to a halt as a cracked freeway off-ramp is shut. Saying sorry - the Tasmanian Government to reignite the stolen generation debate with a landmark apology. A mass display of might - North Korea poised for war a week after its nuclear test. And Packer's carve-up - Australia's richest man tipped to announce the sale of PBL's media assets. Finance news now and Frank, Wall Street taking a breather today? Weak economic data has brought the positive run to an end.

When I return Kath, news on Macquarie Bank's latest conquest. Commuter chaos in Brisbane this morning.

Sections of the main freeway in and out of the city have been shut amid fears a cracked on-ramp could collapse. From the air, roads choked. Brisbane traffic brought to a frustrating halt. HELICOPTER RADIO: Brisbane is an absolute carpark this afternoon. In six years of traffic reporting, I have never seen it this badly congested. And he'll be seeing it for the rest of the week, at least. There appears to be an issue in terms of the ramp moving off a bearing. That is an issue that main roads is taking extremely seriously. Early yesterday, main roads workers re-surfacing the stretch found a crack

in the Ann Street on-ramp. They shut it down.

Then, not long before peak-hour, came the decision to block off the entire Riverside expressway fearing a collapse. They have advised me that there is a an extremely remote chance of Ann Street overpass failing and that would mean that if it did so in that extremely remote chance, it would collapse. While the impact on drivers is extreme, any risk of collapse is deadly.

Earlier this month, five people died in Canada after an overpass came crashing down. I'm not willing to take any chances whatsoever. There'll be no toll on the Gateway today. Public transport set to buckle under an enormous strain as the future of this major artery goes up for debate. Emma Dallimore, Ten News. The stolen generation debate is expected to flare today as Tasmania makes a landmark apology. The State Government will say 'sorry' to Indigenous Australians forcibly removed from their families under federal assimilation policies during the 1930s, '40s and '50s. A $4 million compensation scheme will also be launched. The first of its kind in Australia. The move is tipped to again put pressure on the Federal Government to apologise to stolen generations. Australian federal police have been accused of another drug betrayal. 'The Bulletin' magazine says a Sydney mother begged authorities to stop her teenage son from smuggling drugs out of Cambodia in 2005. But, she claims, they instead alerted the south-east Asian country direct. The then 16-year-old was arrested at Phnom Penh Airport with 2kg of heroin strapped to his body.

He's now serving a 13-year jail term. The magazine likens the case to that of Bali Nine drug mule Scott Rush whose parents also claim to have dobbed their son in to police in the hope he'd be stopped

or at least arrested on Australian soil. Queensland's Attorney-General is in more hot water this morning

over her handling of the Dr Death scandal. It's claimed Linda Lavarch didn't show the Premier a DPP memo

which urged the Government to accept a secret deal to bring Dr Jayant Patel back to Australia. Peter Beattie says its irrelevant because his Minister had already decided to veto the deal. The Premier first told Parliament that the rejected deal included a clause to have Patel's court hearings made private. But the rogue surgeon's lawyers say that was never the case.

The nation's monopoly wheat exporter is under fire for failing to get our farmers the best price for their grain. The Government is also fending off fresh Labor attacks over the AWB bribery scandal. Wheat and war - an unlikely pairing, but one which Labor uses to remind the Government about Wheat Board kickbacks to the former Iraqi dictatorship. Federal Parliament sounding more like a courtroom.

And guilty of turning a blind eye while Australian money brought bullets fired on our troops. I am a guilty man standing up for those people and I am guilty of helping to get rid of Saddam Hussein's evil regime. You ask Saddam's biggest bagman to return to the question. Order, order! The Prime Minister wary of the looming election battle in which Iraq and the Wheat Board scandal will figure.

The PM also faced with tension within the Coalition.

Some in the Government want an end to the single-desk marketing of grain, with the AWB under fire for forward-selling its pool of wheat for $240 a ton - well under the world price. Liberal MP Wilson Tuckey also warning Australia may have to start importing wheat to meet demand on the east coast. It's quite a risky business and one that we prefer not to have to do.

Murray McCloskey, Ten News. Tens of thousands of North Koreans have paraded through Pyongyang in a mass Communist rally. The carefully choreographed torch-lit dance comes one week after the rogue state carried out its first nuclear test. United Nations officials say North Korea's ruler, Kim Jong-Il, could be preparing to carry out a second nuclear test in response to tough economic sanctions. One person has been killed and more than 100 injured

after two metro trains collided in Italy. The crash occurred during morning rush hour in Rome.

It's believed one subway train ran a red light and slammed into a second stationary train.

Rescue workers spent hours pulling survivors from the underground wreckage. 110 people were treated in hospital. The Australian cricket captain has confirmed Shane Watson will be promoted to opener for tonight's Champions Trophy opener against the West Indies in Mumbai. The all-rounder is expected to replace Simon Katich.

The recent experiment with Shane Watson opening the batting has worked for Australia and the extra options he gives the team with bat and ball has impressed Ricky Ponting.

We haven't finalised the team yet. He's done well with every game. With Watson likely to be selected up the order spinner Brad Hoggs is expected to be named in the 11 to play the West Indies. Other than that, Ponting reluctant to make too many changes. There won't be any experimentation. The pitch in Mumbai has come under fire already in the Champions Trophy It's slow, low-bouncing nature has made runs hard to come by. Heatwave conditions another challenge for the Aussies to overcome.

But Ponting confident heading into the clash with the Windies. One of the strengths of this team is we have a lot of success in a lot of places around the world. Meanwhile, disgraced Pakistan bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif have pleaded their innocence to Pakistan officials over charges they took banned steriods. They both were sent home from the Champions Trophy and face 2-year bans. Last night their team-mates brushed aside the drug scandal to score a 4-wicket win over Sri Lanka. Trent Higgs, Ten News. Australia's victorious netballers are back home

after their first series win on New Zealand soil in five years. They've returned with a trophy and a message for their arch-rivals. They won't be intimidated any more by rough-house tactics. That's what we did this series.

rather than necessarily get caught up in the biffo because, mostly, looking across the court they're a bit bigger than us so we'd probably come off second best if we tried to do that. Their next target, reclaiming the world title next winter in Fiji. To rugby league - and the Gold Coast Titans have offered Jonah Lomu a 1-year incentive-based contract met with club officials yesterday. after the former All Black

and coach John Cartwright Lomu met with club officals wouldn't be an issue and confirmed his fitness following a kidney transplant. My health's fine and good. impressed the club. Lomu's physical condition and a mega deal for Macquarie? Frank with more finance news for the investment bank, Yes Kath, another major acquisition

biggest water business. buying up Europe's A consortium led by Macquarie for a huge $19.8 billion has acquired Thames Water beating out rival firm UBS. water utility The previously German-owned of around 13 million customers. has a massive reach regulators but is a win for Macquarie The deal still requires approval from on a number of deals in the UK which recently lost out

Stock Exchange and Heathrow Airport. including its bid for the London More information is coming out

and a private equity firm. about this deal between PBL Latest reports suggest on the $4.5 billion deal last night. James Packer signed off It will see PBL sell off media assets including the Nine Network and Consolidated Press to equity firm CVC Partners. PBL shares were placed in a trading halt yesterday pending an announcement which is expected today. the national weather: Let's take a look at on new anti-terror legislation. US President George W. Bush signs off More when the Early News returns.

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This program is captioned live. You're watching Ten's Early News. morning - troops to stay. Our top stories this Wednesday Iraq until the job is done. The PM says our forces won't leave

City gridlock - an off-ramp in and out of Brisbane's CBD shut, amid fears of a collapse. to adopt arrives in Britain The African boy Madonna hopes

surrounded by the world's media.

And in sport - for tonight's Champions Trophy opener Shane Watson set to be called up against the West Indies.

the national weather: Let's take a look at

with Frank. Time for a check of the markets too good to be true Kath, it was almost

for the US market has come to an end. a run of positive results the rally while at the same time, Weak economic reports stopped in home builder sentiment there's been a turnaround on the back of a 15-year low. More finance news shortly.

a scathing attack on Labor John Howard has launched out of Iraq. for vowing to pull our troops House is also under internal pressure It comes amid revelations the White to withdraw from the troubled region. As violence escalates in Iraq, Australia's continued involvement so too, the debate about will withdraw from its stance. and there's no sign either side Guilty of turning a blind eye bullets fired on our troops. while Australian money brought standing up for those people. I am a guilty man

pledge to withdraw troops from Iraq The Government has described Labor's as populist and dangerous. a recruiting weapon for terrorists JI will use our defeat in Iraq as in the threat for Australia. and that will be a direct increase has to answer. That's what Mr Beazley The stand-off comes amid revelations is under internal pressure the White House from the troubled country. to withdraw working, I completely agree. The plan that is in place is not

But the Administration says is not an immediate option. pulling out of Iraq including Britain, The US and its allies, vowing to stay until Iraq is stable. A goal bound by no timeframe. Kellie Morgan, Ten News. has signed a new anti-terror law US President George W. Bush and prosecute foreign suspects. making it easier to interrogate with patient justice. We will answer brutal murder

will be held to account. Those who kill the innocent to prosecute Guantanamo Bay detainees The legislation makes it easier David Hicks. like Australian terror suspect is an abuse of human rights. Civil liberty groups say the new law a horror week on city roads Brisbane drivers are in for of the CBD partially closed. with the major artery in and out yesterday afternoon Streets resembled carparks the Riverside expressway following a decision to shut amid fears an on-ramp could collapse. in the Ann Street ramp Main Roads workers found a crack while resurfacing yesterday just before peak-hour. and shut down the surrounding roads public transport, car pool Drivers are being urged to take and avoid the city where possible. all week. The closure is likely to last on record bites hard, As Australia's worst drought to rescue packages for farmers. an academic has called for an end Much to the fury of farmers, is not sustainable. he says the current situation A show of defiance country style. to fight for their very survival. Farmers in country Victoria rally HORNS BEEP of thousands of dollars a year These farmers say they're paying tens for water they never receive. In New South Wales, are being sold at just $2 a head. the drought means sheep that are getting very depressed. There are a lot of people out there There are people committing suicide because they just simply can't cope with another year. a $350 million assistance package The Commonwealth has announced for drought-affected farmers. An economist though, has another idea but only as a loan. give farmers money, their minds into saying And that would concentrate "Is this a goer in the long term if I have to pay back any loans. He was, as it were, speaking out his back passage what he's talking about, because he doesn't know doesn't understand the issue. Australia's farmers are resiliant. Christopher Still, Ten News. designed in Australia An inflatable collar to debilitating migraines. could be the answer It helps make neck muscles stronger in trials by physiotherapists. and is showing promising results and standing It can be done sitting whereas equipment that's been used previously, you need to find a place to lie down to use it. This can be done at work, it can be done at home very easily. After initial treatment from a physician, the collar is worn for short periods several times a day, until the headaches subside. Civil rights groups in Malawi have won a court date to challenge Madonna's bid to adopt a baby boy. But the singer's defending her right to the 13-month-old

who jetted into Britain last night under full police guard. David Banda arrives in Britain carried in the arms of Madonna's personal assistant guarded by armed police.

According to close family, the singer and her husband have been working towards this moment for many months. With just the tiniest whimper, the baby is whisked through Heathrow Airport brought in under a temporary custody order David was taken to Madonna's home where the millionaire popstar and her film director husband will face strict checks if they want to make him a permanent part of their unusual family. Pictures of Madonna with the baby have been sold to 'Hello' magazine.

In Malawi last week she promised several million pounds to set up a charitable foundation prompting criticism that she's using her fame and vast wealth to buy a baby. Madonna went to Africa to find her child but there is no shortage of children in the UK who need new homes. As David Banda begins a new life, the contrast with his old one could not be more marked. The Australian cricket captain has confirmed Shane Watson will be promoted to opener for tonight's Champions Trophy opener against the West Indies in Mumbai. The all-rounder is expected to replace Simon Katich. The recent experiment with Shane Watson opening the batting has worked for Australia and the extra options he gives the team with bat and ball We haven't finalised the team yet. He's done well with every game. He gives our team more flexibility. With Watson likely to be selected up the order spinner Brad Hoggs is expected to be named in the 11 to play the West Indies. Other than that, Ponting reluctant to make too many changes. There won't be any experimentation. This is a huge game for us. The pitch in Mumbai has come under fire already in the Champions Trophy It's slow, low-bouncing nature has made runs hard to come by. Heatwave conditions another challenge for the Aussies to overcome. But Ponting confident heading into the clash with the Windies. One of the strengths of this team is we have a lot of success in a lot of places around the world. We should be OK, yeah. Meanwhile, disgraced Pakistan bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif have pleaded their innocence to Pakistan officials over charges they took banned steriods. They both were sent home from the Champions Trophy and face 2-year bans. Last night their team-mates brushed aside the drug scandal to score a 4-wicket win over Sri Lanka. Trent Higgs, Ten News. Australia's victorious netballers are back home after their first series win on New Zealand soil in five years. They've returned with a trophy and a message for their arch-rivals. They won't be intimidated any more by rough-house tactics. That's what we did this series. rather than necessarily get caught up in the biffo because, mostly, looking across the court they're a bit bigger than us so we'd probably come off second best if we tried to do that. Their next target, reclaiming the world title next winter in Fiji. Finance news and Frank, James Packer's not the only one taking advantage of changes to media laws? James Packer's expected sell-off of part of PBL's media interests has been labelled a strategic move. Analysts say the deal, rumored to be worth more than $4 billion, would give the company spare cash to buy other media assets. It could be one of the biggest changes Australia's media landscape has seen. James Packer's PBL today tipped to announce it's off-loading its flagship Nine Network and publishing business creating a new company with private equity firm CVC worth $5 billion. Known as PBL Media - it will be a 50-50 partnership and own the Nine Network,

Australian Consolidated Press and web sites Ninemsn and CarSales. PBL will keep hold of its key casino and gambling assets,

as well as its share in cinema chain Hoyts, Foxtel and jobs website Seek. I think the private equity fund would like him to stay involved, they want his name and the management group involved. The sell-off will give PBL a $4.5 billion war chest to chase further acquisitions once the Government's changes to media laws pass through parliament later this week. It's believed PBL may move to acquire a radio group like Austereo but the market's focus is firmly on newspaper publisher Fairfax. They want to expand with the media in Australia

and obviously, Fairfax is the most ripe apple to be taken. PBL shares were suspended from trade yesterday pending a formal announcement. The company's stock has been rising sharply amid ongoing speculation about a deal and is likely to continue to climb when trading resumes. Matthew Taylor, Ten News. PBL isn't the only company taking advantage of the Government's changes to media ownership laws.

It's now been revealed that Channel Seven has raided the share register of Perth-based based West Australian Newspapers. The shock purchase gives Seven owner, Kerry Stokes, nearly 10% of the newspaper which owns the West Australian and a string of other regional publications. It's believed Seven wants 15% of WAN

but it won't be able to acquire that much until the changes to media laws pass through parliament later this week. Seven will provide an update to the market this morning. Let's take a look at the national weather: Now to Wednesday's newspapers - More news coming up after the break.

CHECKING IN ON THE SATELLITE PICTURE NOW .... AND A HIGH OVER THE TASMAN, IS PUSHING NORTHERLY WINDS ACROSS THE REGION. THE BIG PICTURE NOW, AND RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS IN CANBERRA.... HEADED FOR A TOP OF 26. RIGHT NOW THOUGH, IT'S 6 DEGREES. AFTERNOON THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED IN WOLLONGONG, AND BEGA. WILD WEATHER TO IN THE WEST... STORMS AND 22 IN ORANGE. DAMP IN MOST OF THE OTHER MAJOR CENTRES .... 26 IN BOWRAL AND GOULBURN. 28 FOR THE BAY.

IT'S CHASING 30 DEGREES IN NOWRA, AND PARKES. 27 IN MUDGEE, 25 FOR COOMA. LOOKING AHEAD NOW WITH THE REGION'S SIX-DAY FORECAST... AND TODAY'S STORMS WILL CLEAR TOMORROW.

A DAMP END TO THE WEEK ON FRIDAY. THE SUNSHINE BACK ON BUSINESS ON STAURDAY AND SUNDAY.... HEADED FOR TOP TEMPS BETWEEN 20 AND 22 DEGREES. (NO SCRIPT NEEDED HERE.)

This program is captioned live. Welcome back to Ten's Early News. Making headlines this Wednesday - traffic mayhem.

Brisbane grinds to a halt as a cracked freeway off-ramp is shut. Saying sorry - the Tasmanian Government to reignite the stolen generation debate with a landmark apology. A mass display of might - North Korea poised for war a week after its nuclear test. And Packer's carve-up - Australia's richest man tipped to announce the sale of PBL's media assets. A shocking drive to work for many Brisbane motorists this morning

with a key road into the city shut. Workers found a crack in an on-ramp yesterday prompting fears it may collapse.

Queenslands Transport Minister Paul Lucas joins us now with the latest. Minister, how bad is it? Fife and for fear of Fourth 5th

Fife and for fear of Fourth 5th that

Caden Corbridge is the second busiest

bridges in Australia. The bridges in Australia. The runs they

go above the free you'll

go above the free you'll way Ben we

have an issue with 30 reps. have an issue with 30 reps. We need

to take action to make sure there are

no further issues. What no further issues. What sort of

delays can murderous expect? I delays can murderous expect? I want

main roads to find out what went

wrong. Ruth clearly, there is wrong. Ruth clearly, there is a crack

in the rap. We want to be

precautionary but they tell me at

least for the rest of the week they

will not be able to use the road.

Third crack has not changed. What has

happened here? I'm not an happened here? I'm not an Engineer.

There was work done over the weekend

and what happened is we found it and what happened is we found it was

not sitting on its bearings. How that

happened, is what

happened, is what we are currently looking for. Queensland Transport Minister Paul Lucas. Thank you. The stolen generation debate is expected to flare today as Tasmania makes a landmark apology. The State Government will say 'sorry' to Indigenous Australians forcibly removed from their families under federal assimilation policies during the 1930s, '40s and '50s. A $4 million compensation scheme will also be launched. The first of its kind in Australia. The move is tipped to again put pressure on the Federal Government

to apologise to stolen generations. Sweeping law reforms

will allow prosecutors to haul people previously acquitted of crimes back before the courts. The New South Wales Double Jeopardy law changes apply to serious cases where fresh or compelling evidence emerges. Offenders who believe they've been wrongly convicted can also appeal to a panel. The changes have been hailed most significant in the New South Wales criminal law history. The nation's monopoly wheat exporter is under fire for failing to get our farmers the best price for their grain. The Government is also fending off fresh Labor attacks over the AWB bribery scandal. Wheat and war - an unlikely pairing, but one which Labor uses to remind the Government about Wheat Board kickbacks to the former Iraqi dictatorship. Federal Parliament sounding more like a courtroom.

And guilty of turning a blind eye while Australian money brought bullets fired on our troops. I am a guilty man standing up for those people and I am guilty of helping to get rid of Saddam Hussein's evil regime. You ask Saddam's biggest bagman to return to the question. Order, order! The Prime Minister wary of the looming election battle in which Iraq and the Wheat Board scandal will figure. The PM also faced with tension within the Coalition. Some in the Government want an end to the single-desk marketing of grain, with the AWB under fire for forward-selling its pool of wheat for $240 a ton - well under the world price.

Liberal MP Wilson Tuckey also warning Australia may have to start importing wheat to meet demand on the east coast. It's quite a risky business and one that we prefer not to have to do. Murray McCloskey, Ten News. Tens of thousands of North Koreans have paraded through Pyongyang in a mass Communist rally. torch-lit dance The carefully choreographed

carried out its first nuclear test. comes one week after the rogue state North Korea's ruler, Kim Jong-Il, United Nations officials say a second nuclear test could be preparing to carry out economic sanctions. in response to tough has confirmed Australian cricket captain Shane Watson will be promoted Trophy opener to open for tonight's Champions against the West Indies in Mumbai. at openers recently Watson has proved a success for tonight's game. and he's likely to stay there We haven't finalised the team yet. He's done well with every game. He gives our team more flexibility. heatwave conditions Ponting also not worried about and a slow pitch in Mumbai. with a much-wanted trophy Australia's netballers are back home New Zealand. and a message for their arch rivals by rough-house tactics. They won't be intimidated any more A day to savour

returned from New Zealand because the last time our netballers couldn't have been flatter. the welcome The depths of despair really. they'd been thrashed by 25 goals. 12 months ago Now, a major transformation - their first series win on New Zealand soil in five years. to return to the Australian way We decided we needed of playing netball and passionate and skilful which is tough and hard all rolled into one just comes from sheer hard work. and the ability to do that faster, smarter - The Aussies playing sharper, not getting rattled turn on the rough stuff. when the Silver Ferns

That's what we did this series. get caught up in the biffo rather than necessarily

court they're a bit bigger than us because, mostly, looking across the second best if we tried to do that. so we'd probably come off The next step - in Fiji next winter. to reclaim the World Championship

even money at the moment. I think we're running pretty much

Leanne West, Ten News. Frank with more finance news. to spin off Channel Nine James Packer's decision and its publishing business to the Australian media climate. paves the way for even more changes The deal with private equity firm CVC

more than $4 billion is rumored to be worth giving PBL a massive war chest a number of other acquisitions. to aggressively pursue has obviously been highly Well, I think the media legislation aimed for Packer. It was opposed by both Murdoch and Fairfax

was not happy with it. and also Kerry Stokes it a particular way James is now showing why he wanted

for this legislation to go through out of traditional media and that's so that he can exit gambling and Internet for him. and move into the new areas that is, was particularly important I don't think James and PBL equity investors, but for the new private the media in Australia they want to expand with

ripe apple to be taken. and obviously, Fairfax is the most many deals that can be done. But remember, there aren't probably only about one major deal In the regional areas, and in the capital cities, that are available. there's really the nine and ten the positive run to an end. Weak economic data has brought

to behind. From in front of the camera at directing. Jennifer Aniston's trying her hand directorial debut on 'Room10', The Emmy Award winner made her a drama starring Robin Wright Penn.

Guild of America, At its world premiere at the Actors she was a little nervous. Aniston conceded it can be torturous. They say it's a lonely job,

I loved the crew, I loved being with the actors, I loved from beginning to end. Brad Pitt's famous ex strutted the red carpet alone. nowhere in sight. Current beau Vince Vaughn the national weather: Let's take a look at

That's it for Ten's Early News. thanks for your company. I'm Kathryn Robinson, And I'm Frank Coletta. Good morning. www.auscap.com.au by the Australian Caption Centre. Supertext Captions